All In The Game
An Impulse short
by David J. Warner
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This script (C) Copyright 1997 David J. Warner. Impulse created by Mark
Waid and Mike Wieringo. Characters used in this script are the
intellectual property of D.C. Comics. All rights reserved.
This manuscript is freely distributable via print or electronic means,
provided it is not altered in any way, shape or form. Sale for profit
of this script without the expressed written consent of David J. Warner
and D.C. Comics is strictly prohibited.
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PAGE 1
SPLASH: a diagonal chessboard sitting on the table, pieces in various
places - black toward the back, white toward the front. Main focus is
on a large white knight in the center of the page, takes up lots of
space, and A hand barely holds the top of it. (Bart's hand)
1 CAP: Bart Allen likes to think he's the BEST when it comes to GAMES.
2 CAP: After all, he spent much of his LIFE in one.
3 BART/off: Whaddaya MEAN, I can't move the horse there?
4 MAX/off: It's called a KNIGHT, and it can only move a certain way.
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PAGE 2
SPLASH, credits at the bottom: This one is Max and Bart sitting at a
table in the den. Max is on the left. He's wearing a turtleneck
sweater with a conservative pattern on it, and some khaki slacks. He's
leaning forward in his chair, one arm propping himself in front of the
chessboard, the hand on his other arm rubbing his chin. Bart is on the
right, wearing a plaid flannel shirt over a black T-shirt and light
blue, faded jeans. He's holding the knight upside down with the thumb
and first three fingers in his right hand, and pointing that same hand's
pinky finger at one of Max's black pieces. He looks somewhat annoyed by
all of this.
1 CAP: Born in the 30TH CENTURY, Bart grew up in a VIRTUAL
REALITY WORLD in which HE made the rules.
2 MAX: Either UP TWO and OVER ONE, or UP ONE and OVER TWO.
3 BART: Well what if I want to move it on your CASTLE THINGIE here?
4 CAP: Having been RESCUED from that world and brought to the 20TH CENTURY --
5 CAP: Bart is learning that the rules in REAL LIFE are a little DIFFERENT.
6 TITLE: "ALL IN THE GAME"7 CREDITS:
Written by DAVID J. WARNER
Penciled by ______________ Inked by _______________
Lettered by _______________ Colored by _______________
8 CREDITS: JASON HERNANDEZ-ROSENBLATT, associate editor PAUL KUPPERBERG, editor
9 CREDITS: IMPULSE created by MARK WAID and MIKE WIERINGO
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PAGE 3
PANEL ONE: Shot of Max from over Bart's left shoulder. He's in the
same position, except now his thumb is resting on his chin, and his
right eyebrow is cocked at the chessboard. We see the back of Bart's
head in the bottom right hand corner of the panel.
1 MAX: Hmmmm... down one and over two. A legal move, AND you took my rook.
PANEL TWO: The view revolves counter-clockwise around the table to a
profile of Max's face from the right, still in the same position.
2 BART/off: HA! Top THAT, mister chess GURU!
3 CAP: This is MAX MERCURY.
PANEL THREE: The view revolves again to a shot of Bart from over Max's
right shoulder. He's being his usual impatient self -- left elbow on
the table, left fist propping up his cheek, his eyes wandering toward
the ceiling, annoyed look on his face, right fingers tapping at super
speed against table, thought pict-o-gram of a fist pounding the top of
an hourglass: the top half is full of sand, the bottom half only has a
couple of grains falling slowly to the bottom. Max hasn't moved.
4 CAP: His job is to teach Bart how to be PATIENT.
6 SFX (on table): TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP (adinfinitum)
PANEL FOUR: Chessboard at table level, around Max's left shoulder,
again to give the impression that the shot is revolving around the
table. Max is reaching for his black queen.
7 CAP: Not to mention how to use his gifts of SUPER SPEED to
their HIGHEST POTENTAL.
PANEL FIVE: Close-up of black queen being put into position by Max. He
uses the queen to knock over Bart's white knight, which is slanted as if
falling over.
8 MAX/off: Checkmate.
9 SFX/small: TINK
10 CAP: Fortunately for Bart --
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PAGE 4
PANEL ONE: Max props himself up on the table with his elbows, and he
looks up at Bart with a wide grin on his face. Bart is completely
stunned -- leaning back in the chair, mouth agape, one hand slapped
against his forehead, the other arm drooping against the side of thechair.
1 CAP: Max has patience enough for the BOTH of them.
2 MAX: Game over. You lose.3 BART/burst: AUUUUUUUUGH!!!
4 BART: How did you DO that?
5 MAX: It was quite SIMPLE, actually.
PANEL TWO: Max's hand, moving at super-speed, pointing at lots of
different pieces.
6 MAX: While you were INDISCRIMINATELY moving your pieces
around, I came up with a STRATEGY to corner your king.
7 MAX: I DID say that was the OBJECT of the game.
PANEL THREE: Max gets up from the table and begins walking toward the
closet. Bart is still in the chair, arms folded in semi-disgust.
8 BART: Some GAME. Why's it so SLOW?
9 MAX: You have to PLAN your moves in advance --
10 MAX: -- put some THOUGHT into each move.
PANEL FOUR: Several Barts in a row, moving at superspeed each one
holding up a different chess piece. Max reaching into the closet to
pull something out.
11 BART: And what's with all these SPROCKING PIECES?
12 BART: Why can't I move this BISHOP thingie FORWARD or SIDE-TO-SIDE?
13 MAX: Because that's its ROLE. Every piece plays its part in the game.
14 MAX: Once you understand what each PART can do, you can USE
those parts to build the WHOLE.
15 MAX: And what have I said about FUTURE CURSE WORDS in the house?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * PAGE 5
PANEL ONE: Max's hand on the collar of a burgundy jacket, which he just pulled out of the closet. Bart facing him.
1 BART: Isn't a hole something you DIG?
2 MAX: For YOU, I suppose it would be.
3 MAX: Then again, it wouldn’t matter, since chess is the one
GAME you could never WIN. It’s too far BEYOND you.
4 BART: Oh, YEAH?
PANEL TWO: Bart rushes back to the table, haphazardly puts the chess
pieces back on the board, then stands in front of Max, chessboard inhand.
5 BART: FINE.
6 BART: Let's play AGAIN. I bet I'll BEAT ya this time.
PANEL THREE: Max putting on jacket, eyebrow cocked at Bart.
7 MAX: You set the pieces up INCORRECTLY.
8 MAX: We'll play LATER. I have THINGS TO DO this afternoon.
7 BART: NO FAIR, Max!
8 BART: You won the first round -- I want a REMATCH!
PANEL FOUR: Max reaches into his jacket, as if to pull something out to give to Bart.
10 MAX: Well, since you've suddenly become so INTERESTED...
PANEL FIVE: Tight shot of Max's hand, which holds a compact disc jewel
box (the item from his jacket) in front of Bart. The words "Chess
Wizard 5000" are written on the CD.
11 MAX/off: You should find the VIDEO GAME FORMAT more to your liking.
PANEL SIX: Bart takes CD at super speed and runs out of the room, down the hallway to his room.
12 BART: COOOOL.
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PANEL ONE: Bart's room. Max is in the doorway, looking in on Bart, who
is sitting in front of the television screen, his fingers tapping the
controls on the video game pad at a furious pace.
1 MAX: I should warn you, though. Computers are NOTORIOUSLY
DIFFICULT to beat when it comes to chess.
2 BART: PLEASE. I'm a video game MASTER. How bad could it be?
PANEL TWO: Max walks out of the room and down the hallway. Sounds come
from Bart’s room.
3 TV/elec/off: *Bzzzt* Checkmate. You lose.
PANEL THREE: Max walks up to the door to leave, his head turning back
toward the sound effect.
4 TV/elec/off: *Bzzzt* Checkmate. You lose.
PANEL FOUR: Max walks out the door, a huge grin on his face.
5 TV/elec/off: *Bzzzt* Checkmate--6 BART/burst/off: AUUUUUUUUGH!!!